A Bid For Peace In Rwanda

France's Military Intervention In Rwanda Should Not Supplant An International Effort To Resolve The Bloody Crisis.

June 28, 1994|By Brown

With the situation in Rwanda going from bad to worse and a United Nations-approved force drawn from African countries still months away from deployment, what to do?

That was the question facing the United Nations last week as it mulled France's proposal to intervene.

France's interest, of course, is clear. It has a tremendous stake in African stability. It has huge economic interests and the largest permanent military presence in sub-Saharan Africa of any foreign power.

That the U.N. Security Council agreed to France's offer was more likely an act of desperation than of enthusiasm, which was reflected in the close vote. The civil war, in which as many as half a million people have been killed, has insulted all humanity. The United States and all other countries have a stake in a peaceful outcome.

Thus efforts to resolve the crisis should be international, with an emphasis on African countries.

In general, African countries have been criticized, properly, for not taking a more active role in heading off conflicts on the continent. Part of the problem is the overall weakness of the Organization of African Unity. Members have had difficulty in reaching general agreement - particularly regarding involvement in a member country.

Still, several African nations stepped forward to offer troops for the United Nations' peacekeeping force in Rwanda.

One reason for greater responsiveness of late may be a growing realization that civil chaos, as has happened in Rwanda and other African countries, hurts efforts by Africans to take charge of their destinies.

Although many nations have embraced pluralistic governments, most recently South Africa, the disintegrating forces of tribalism and historical animosities continue to rear their horrific heads.

Such developments have dire consequences not only in human terms but in limiting Africa's economic potential.

Unfortunately, African countries aren't able to get properly equipped troops to Rwanda as quickly as they're needed. That's where the French come in, playing a sort of stopgap role.

There are potential problems because the rebels in Rwanda mistrust France's intentions. It's acting essentially on its own, with a few troops committed or contemplated by other countries. That underscores the importance of France's maintaining a neutral stance in trying to resolve Rwanda's tragic mess.